Stick or MIG

[dragoneggs]

Lots of variables. Thick metals outdoors (bad conditions) - stick. Thin metals under 3/8 (indoors) with time of essence ie production- mig. Bad metal condition (rust, dirt, grease, etc.) stick. 7018 stick - strong, good looking welds - hard restarts. Mig (GMAW) gas bottles. Flux core - lots of splatter but good outdoors. Buzz box/tombstone machines (transformers) - heavy current draw heavy machines. Inverter mig/stick machines relatively light. I could go on - and on.

Succinct summary! :drink:

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

Who said you had to choose between the two? For those guys who need both the Everlast Power I-MIG offers both on the same unit for less than a gray and orange competitor does for just MIG.

 

[PILOON]

If heavy duty is your goal, then stick is probably the way to go.
For smaller more delicate jobs then mig or tig will shine.
Then complication sets in with AC or DC and the multitudes of rods or coils of wire.

I'm a self taught DIY welder and actually started welding with a home made stick machine.
Over time I developed or honed my techniques to the point that I can do most anything I need.
Some rods are harder to use than others but you soon learn.

Earlier in the game I was able to purchase a wide assortment (like 5 rods of each type and size) and experimented, that sure helped.

OK, some rods have higher strength but do U need it? or high wear (hard face) again?
For me I settled down to a general purpose (6011/6013) and so far no failures but then it is not pipeline welding or excavator bucket repairs.

You soon learn to keep your rods nice and dry like to use an oven (which is easy to DIY*) or store them near the furnace.

* a wooden closed box and 100 watt bulb can crudely suffice.

Good luck!
Welding can be fun and actually also a form of art. Much creative welded art work can be found to do.

 

[MoArk Willy]

I bought one of those Amico DC welders directly from the company for $139.99...except it's blue.
I haven't welded in decades but in 30 minutes I was able to make decent welds that looked good and most of all held.
I can't remember ever welding as easily with the old big AC welder but this machine makes it easy.
I'm a hobbyist who likes to repair my own stuff and this fits the bill. I would like a flux wire machine but that can wait for now.

 

[yomax4]

Man there are a lot of Stick folks out there. truth be known, You can easily weld 1" plate with mig. Nearly all production of Buckets, Ships, Cranes, Caterpillars, Bob Cat, John Deere, Hum Vees etc is all Mig. So it's not just thin stuff. Don't get me wrong, I love stick welding and Tig as well but if I had to pick, it would be 300+ amp mig unit and I would sneak in a little 160 amp 115/230v DC Stick inverter with PFC and VRD for outside.

 

[metalbender]

For sure the big migs do most of the hd commercial work. Pricewise though, not usually purchased by the farm shop or home workshop that doesn't actually make money welding.

 

[yomax4]

For sure the big migs do most of the hd commercial work. Pricewise though, not usually purchased by the farm shop or home workshop that doesn't actually make money welding.

Can't argue with that. Main thing is being able to weld and fix some of your own stuff. It's all about wants, needs and budget.. I don't have a 25K tractor but I do have an 8K welder. Many don't have an 8K welder but many have a 25K tractor. Is what it is and it's all good !

 

[aczlan]

Can't argue with that. Main thing is being able to weld and fix some of your own stuff. It's all about wants, needs and budget.. I don't have a 25K tractor but I do have an 8K welder. Many don't have an 8K welder but many have a 25K tractor. Is what it is and it's all good !

Yep, I have a $300 welder ( 200 amp dc inverter stick welder) and it welds everything we need to put back together on the farm.
If I need something bigger welded, I can take it into work and have them hit it with the 250 amp MIG welder there, or to the fabrication shop down the road and have them hit with their bigger welders there.

Aaron Z

 

[Big Barn]

Sixty years on the farm and all I had was a buzz box, but lots of tractors. Now that I’m retired it’s the other way around. LOL.

 

[jaxs]

Can't argue with that. Main thing is being able to weld and fix some of your own stuff. It's all about wants, needs and budget.. I don't have a 25K tractor but I do have an 8K welder. Many don't have an 8K welder but many have a 25K tractor. Is what it is and it's all good !

Folks like me have $2,500 tractors and $800 welders.:wrench::hammer::confused3: